NORFOLK, Va. — Angelina Resendiz vanished from her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk the morning of Thursday, May 29. Nearly two weeks later, her body was recovered behind an elementary school in Norfolk.
During that time, Resendiz' family grew frustrated by a lack of information provided during the investigation into her disappearance.
We've compiled a full timeline of events from information we received from authorities and the family.
On July 10, we added the U.S. Navy's timeline in italics.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
10 a.m.
Angelina Petra Resendiz, 21, is last seen in her barracks in Miller Hall at Naval Station Norfolk. A description of her attire and a vehicle she left in are not known.
U.S. Navy timeline: CSSN Resendiz was visually observed as onboard Naval Station Norfolk by an E-7 assigned to USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS. CSSN Resendiz was on authorized liberty on 29 May 2025, meaning she had no assigned duties on USS JAMES E. WILIAMS (DDG 95) that day and was not required to muster with her chain of command. On 30 May 2025, CSSN Resendiz had assigned duties and was expected to muster at 0730 on USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS. When CSSN Resendiz did not report for duty on 30 May 2025, she was listed on the warship’s daily absentee report in accordance with the Navy Regulations and Military Personnel Manual. The muster report was completed at 1010 that morning, with the start time of CSSN Resendiz’s UA noted as 0730.
Friday, May 30
U.S. Navy timeline: 30 May 2025, 0930 – based on her absence, two members of the USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS conducted a wellness check on the barracks room of CSSN Resendiz and the room of the Sailor with whom she was last seen on 29 May 2025. Both rooms were entered and neither Sailor was located. At 1017, the crew members called the command to report that CSSN Resendiz was not located, confirming the UA status previously documented on the muster report.
A wellness check had also been conducted by Naval Station Norfolk Base Police at 0545 the day prior (29 May 2025) after an E-4 assigned to USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS reported that he could not locate CSSN Resendiz after she contacted him requesting to be picked up at the barracks. At that time, Base Police also entered CSSN Resendiz’s room.
During a wellness check on another Sailor assigned to USS JAMES E. WILIAMS at 1000 on 29 May 2025, an E-7 assigned to USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS located CSSN Resendiz in the barracks room assigned to another Sailor. CSSN Resendiz was on authorized liberty at the time.
This was the second room checked by USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS at 0930 on 30 May 2025.
Saturday, May 31
U.S. Navy timeline: The command’s decision regarding UA status is solely a command action and it did not affect the initiation of the NCIS investigation. NCIS commenced investigative steps on 31 May 2025, after being notified by Norfolk Police Department (NPD) on 31 May 2025 of a missing persons report which NPD received on 31 May 2025. NPD reported that the missing persons report pertained to both CSSN Resendiz and the Sailor with whom she was last seen in the barracks on 29 May 2025.
NCIS initially contacted USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS regarding the missing persons report on 31 May 2025.
31 May 2025, 1900 – CSSN Resendiz’s mother contacted the USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS quarterdeck requesting information on her daughter’s whereabouts. The E-7 assigned to USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS who last saw CSSN Resendiz in the barracks on 29 May 2025 spoke with the mother and confirmed that he saw her on 29 May 2025. The E-7 informed Ms. Castle that CSSN Resendiz was absent on 30 May and 31 May 2025, and that the Navy was actively working to locate her daughter.
Sunday, June 1
U.S. Navy timeline: NCIS contacted and spoke with Ms. Castle. Thereafter, NCIS had daily contact with Ms. Castle between 1 June 2025 and 11 June 2025, with 7 June 2025 the only exception.
Monday, June 2
U.S. Navy timeline: 2 June 2025 - the Commanding Officer (CO) of USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS called Ms. Castle to inform her that CSSN Resendiz had not reported for duty since 30 May 2025 and that the chain of command was concerned about her wellbeing and actively working to locate her along with law enforcement. The CO inquired if Ms. Castle had heard from CSSN Resendiz and also informed Ms. Castle of the missing persons report and the NCIS investigation. This notification occurred on Day 4 of CSSN Resendiz’s absence – Navy policy requires such a notification to next-of-kin on Day 5 of a Sailor’s absence.
Tuesday, June 3
9:38 p.m.
Virginia State Police issue a Critically Missing Adult Alert for Resendiz on behalf of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The alert gives a description and said her disappearance poses a credible threat to her health and safety.
10:13 p.m.
WTKR News 3 publishes our first alert story online for Resendiz.
Wednesday, June 4
9:59 a.m.
Virginia State Police give a brief update on the missing adult to change the NCIS contact number for information regarding Resendiz’ whereabouts.
WTKR speaks with Esmeralda Castle, Resendiz’ mother, who tells us the disappearance is very out of character.
"She calls my mother, she calls her brother, her sisters; she has friends—middle school friends she still talks to," Castle said.
She tells us she’s taking matters into her own hands.
"My kid is missing, and she wouldn't just unauthorized leave without permission. Angie’s too scared to miss work; she wouldn’t do that. Something is wrong, and I’m going to Virginia tomorrow to find out what I can because I need to start looking for my kid. I don’t know what’s going on," she said.
Thursday, June 5
Castle flies into Norfolk from her home in Harlingen, Texas to see if she can learn more about her daughter’s disappearance. She visited Naval Station Norfolk and went to Resendiz’ barracks to find her belongings in a state indicating she planned to return.
"Her fan was still on, and she had personal items like food and a yoga mat untouched," she told News 3’s Daniella Saitta two days later. Esmeralda also mentioned that no money has been spent from Angelina's accounts since the day she went missing.
9:09 p.m.
As search efforts continue, WTKR posts a photo of Resendiz to social media that is shared more than 27,000 times over and viewed more than 2.3 million times over the next several days.
Saturday, June 7
Castle, still in town seeking more information and growing increasingly concerned, sits down with WTKR for an in-person interview.
During this interview, Esmeralda reported receiving little information from NCIS.
“I asked them if they have her phone; they can’t tell me if they do or not,” she said, noting that such uncertainties lead her to fear the worst.
In response to inquiries about the investigation's confidentiality, NCIS stated they would not disclose details until they have gathered sufficient and accurate information.
Castle flies back to Texas Saturday night.
Monday, June 9
Monday evening, Norfolk Police and NCIS respond to the discovery of a body in a wooded area behind Richard Bowling Elementary School in Norfolk. Reports emerge on police scanner Facebook groups of a body being found in the Broad Creek area, and residents outside the police tape perimeter begin livestreaming the investigation.
Speculation mounts, with many neighbors on scene reporting that they saw officials remove a body from the wooded area.
Around 9 p.m., several of the NCIS and police cars depart the scene.
9:30 p.m.
Norfolk Police send a brief message to WTKR News 3 stating they are “continuing to assist NCIS with a follow-up investigation. For additional details, please contact NCIS.”
9:40 p.m.
NCIS responds to a WTKR request for comment on the investigation. They write:
I can confirm that NCIS and the Norfolk Police Department have responded to a report of a deceased body found in an off-base wooded area in Norfolk.
The Norfolk Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting an autopsy and working to positively identify the victim.
No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed at this time. Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS will not comment further while the investigation remains ongoing.
10:45 p.m.
Local PR manager Kimberly Wimbish, who had represented the family of Ashanti Billie several years ago, releases a statement on behalf of Resendiz' family related to the body found in Broad Creek.
It reads:
The family of Seaman Angelina Resendiz is heartbroken and deeply concerned over her sudden and unexplained disappearance.
Angelina is a loving, compassionate, and devoted individual who has always prioritized the well-being of her family and those around her. Her absence has caused immense grief for all who know and love her.
At this time, we are awaiting the results of DNA testing to determine whether recently discovered remains are those of Angelina. We remain prayerful and hopeful for clarity and resolution.
We urge anyone with information about Angelina's whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance to come forward. Your help could be crucial in bringing her home and providing answers.
Our family is grateful for the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and investigators. We kindly request privacy as we navigate this incredibly difficult time.
Thank you to everyone who has offered support, shared prayers, and stood with us in the search for Angelina.
Tuesday, June 10
4 p.m.
Wimbish, on behalf of the family, releases a statement confirming that the body found Monday evening is Resendiz. In that statement, the family called on Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, the Hampton Roads congressional delegation, and President Donald Trump to “address the systemic issues that allowed her to vanish without justice since May 29, 2025.”
The statement also notes that Castle was “horrified to realize that she was not properly notified through official channels and that, instead, she was only informed unofficially by her daughter’s staff and media coverage.”
Read that statement in full here.
4:41 p.m.
NCIS confirms the body recovered in Broad Creek is Angelina Resendiz, who they say was assigned to the USS James E. Williams. Another sailor is being held in “pretrial confinement” in connection with her death, with charges pending.
Thursday, June 12
Patrick Korody, a former Jag, now a criminal defense attorney with two decades of experience in court-martial and criminal defense cases, explains to News 3 what may be going on with the Angelina Resendiz case.
Korody explained the next steps for the detained sailor. “Within 7 days of being placed in pre-trial confinement, that sailor has the right to a hearing in front of a military judge to determine whether or not he will continue to stay in confinement,” he said.
Korody noted that this hearing is similar to a bond hearing in a civilian court, but he said, “The primary difference is: there is no amount of money that this sailor could get released on. This is not about money.”
He says the hearing will evaluate whether a crime occurred, if the sailor being held likely committed that crime, and if he poses a flight risk, among other factors. This process will determine whether charges will be brought against him, which could lead to an Article 32 preliminary hearing, similar to a grand jury hearing.
Investigations are ongoing as NCIS continues to gather evidence.
Korody stated, “They’re going to collect evidence. They’re going to interview witnesses. They’re going to test any forensic evidence they could have.”
He said that if Resendiz was murdered, a suspect could face the death penalty, despite Virginia’s abolition of capital punishment. However, Korody considers this unlikely.
Monday, June 16
Judge decides the sailor facing charges in connection with the death of Seaman Angelina Resendiz will remain in custody, an attorney for Resendiz' mother told WTKR News 3.
U.S. Navy investigators did not released the sailor's name, what they're charged with, or their connection to Resendiz. They did share that the sailor is assigned to the Norfolk-based USS James E. Williams, the same ship Resendiz was assigned to.
A family attorney says Castle spoke at the hearing at Naval Consolidated Brig Chesapeake, pleading for the judge not to release the charged sailor. They sent us the following statement, which Castle read in court:
Your Honor, My name is Esmeralda Castle, and I am the mother of Angelina Petra Resendiz. I speak to you today as the voice of my daughter—because she no longer has one. Angie was more than a service member. She was a light in this world. She was brave, kind, devoted to her shipmates and her country, and full of promise. But instead of building her future, I am standing in a courtroom, asking for justice on her behalf. The person responsible for this horrific loss made deliberate choices that ended Angie’s life. Their actions were not a mistake—they were a betrayal of trust, of duty, and of basic human decency. To even consider releasing them would add another injustice to an already unbearable tragedy. Offering any form of leniency would not only dishonor Angie’s memory—it would be a threat to public safety and a deep injustice to victims of violent crime. It would send the message that her life didn’t matter. But it did. It still does. Angie deserves justice. Our family deserves peace. And our community deserves protection. I am asking this Court to keep this individual confined, because of the severity of what was done—not just to Angie, but to all of us who loved her. We cannot change the past. But we can choose to prevent further harm. Please, do not let this preventable tragedy be repeated. Let justice stand. Thank you, Your Honor.
As of this hearing, the government had 120 day deadline to give the sailor an arraignment, where their charges will be formally read in front of a judge.
Friday, June 20
8 p.m.
Resendiz' remains returns to her hometown in Brownsville, Texas, where she received full military honors. Kim Wimibush shared a statement with News 3 below:
The remains of Seaman Angelina Resendiz, United States Navy, will return to her hometown with honor. She will arrive at Valley International Airport in Harlingen on Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. where she will be received with full military honors.
Wednesday, June 25
The mother of Resendiz and advocates asserted their belief that the U.S. Navy mishandled her daughter’s disappearance during a press conference on June 25.
The press conference was organized by leaders with the civil rights organization The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), who are working alongside Resendiz’ mother, Esmeralda Castle.
They are demanding an investigation into what they called Resendiz' “preventable” death, which they believe was at the hands of a fellow sailor.
They assert that sailor murdered her.
"What happened is a tragedy. My daughter, her life was taken by another sailor–someone that she knew, someone that worked with her,” said Castle.
When asked how she felt when she learned there was a suspect in her daughter’s case, Castle shared she knew who her daughter was with last. She said that he came into work following Resendiz' disappearance, claiming that he had not seen her.
LULAC leaders and Castle called out several of the Navy’s alleged missteps, starting with the moment Resendiz disappeared.
They accused the Navy of reportedly marking Resendiz as AWOL and waiting six days to issue a missing persons alert. They go on to say Navy officials allegedly gave Castle misinformation and false hope that her daughter was still alive.
“She was told by one of the supervisors, ‘hey, we saw your daughter. She's sleeping in her room.’” said Lawrence Romo, LULAC’s vice president for veterans. “That was a misleading lie, if not miscommunication for sure. And then it took a group of kids playing in a wooded forest six miles from base to find the body [while] the Navy was actively searching.”
They’re also demanding that Navy officials provide more information on the investigation, adding claims that service members have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in connection with her case.
“There must be total transparency with Angelina's family, no more withheld information, no NDAs to silence witnesses,” said LULAC CEO Juan Proaño.
Castle says her concerns extend beyond the Navy's handling of her daughter's disappearance. She tearfully recalled the state of her daughter's body ahead of the funeral service and vigil.
“I went to the funeral home… I wanted to see her, you know, I didn't know what to expect. I knew she’d been missing for days and she was found outside, and it probably wouldn't look the best," said Castle. “I saw her body and she was covered, just infested with maggots, with bugs and decaying. And they didn't preserve her body or prepare her to come home.”
Castle and LULAC leaders alleged that the military's culture was a factor in Resendiz' death, specifically the alleged treatment of service members who are women of color.
They drew comparisons between Resendiz' case and the death of Vanessa Guillen, a Latina soldier in the U.S. Army whose remains were found in 2020. She reported that she had been sexually harassed before she was murdered.
"We shouldn't be okay with this... These aren't isolated incidents, they're happening systematically across all branches," said Castle.
Neither Castle nor LULAC leaders explicitly stated that they believe Resendiz was sexually assaulted. However, they said they are calling for a formal review of "Naval Station Norfolk sexual assault and harassment procedures, especially as they relate to women of color."
They're also asking for a "full, transparent investigation into why there were delays, miscommunication and an apparent lack of urgency" in Resendiz' case.
From the moment her daughter's body was identified, Castle has been urging Congress to take action to prevent further "military tragedies." At the press conference, speakers shared that they've been meeting with lawmakers from Resendiz' Texas hometown and Virginia-based leaders, including Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
Thursday, June 26
During a press conference on Thursday, June 26, U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner addressed the investigation into Resendiz’ death. Kaine mentioned his conversation with Castle and the importance of addressing her concerns.
“She has a real right to be deeply concerned about this, and I committed to her, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, that I’m going to be reaching out to the Navy to get some answers to some of the important questions she asked,” Kaine stated.
Warner echoed this sentiment, confirming their call for a comprehensive investigation.
“The family deserves answers. We did put in place an Ashanti Alert. I’m not sure why it wasn’t used in this case, but the family deserves an answer,” he said.
When asked about his message to mothers of sailors, Warner emphasized the Navy’s obligation to protect service members.
“Any mom of a sailor deserves to know that the Navy will do all it can to protect their kids and conduct a thorough investigation in the event of a tragedy,” he asserted.
Both senators previously said they believe the investigation is far from over, and they remain dedicated to seeking justice for Angelina Resendiz and her grieving family.
Friday, June 27
The funeral service for Resendiz was held on June 27 in her hometown of Brownsville, Texas.
According to the flyer put out by Resendiz' family, the service was at the Church of Latter-day Saints on Price Road. The family asked that those attending avoid wearing black clothing and preferably wear white.
The viewing was set to go from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The funeral service began after the viewing around 5:30 p.m.
After the service, attendees could meet with Resendiz' family to share memories of her. The candlelight vigil was set to begin at 7:15 p.m. to honor Resendiz and "all those also lost to such violence."
Monday, June 30
Loved ones of Resendiz gathered in her Texas hometown to honor her memory with a candlelight vigil.
At the vigil, her mother emphasized focusing on positivity as the community moves forward following her daughter's tragic death.
"Because we can't fight negativity with negativity. It just does not work. It never has worked. Love always wins," said Resendiz' mother, Esmeralda Castle.
They also called for justice, with her former art teacher expressing concern over how her disappearance has been handled: "We have not been told, we've not been informed, and there's a lot of like, why. You know, the fact that that's going on in our military, when our kids choose to serve, that should be the greatest honor, and for them to go in there and get violated. And you know, it's unacceptable."
